INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 19, 2010) — When Klipsch started engineering the Image S4, its goal was to launch a pair of modestly priced $79.99 in-ear headphones that would offer class-leading comfort and produce sound that rivaled more expensive designs. Today, by looking at all the great reviews and top awards this product has received, the company obviously hit the mark.

Klipsch engineers managed to make the Image S4 a category leader by leveraging the company’s 60-plus years in the audio industry and coming up with new, proprietary designs.

“Once you have the right fit and seal, these headphones are virtually impossible to feel—letting you listen longer and better,” said Mark Blanchard, senior acoustic design engineer for Klipsch and inventor of the company’s oval ear tips. “When we began studying three-dimensional ear impressions, it was discovered that nearly everyone has an oval-shaped ear canal. We couldn’t believe that no one else had yet considered the anatomical shape of the ear canal when designing in-ear headphones.”

Blanchard also mentioned that when you wear Klipsch headphones, you don’t need to turn up the volume as loud because a good seal dramatically reduces background noise—a feature that could definitely help preserve your hearing.

In terms of performance, Blanchard believes the Image S4 sounds better than most headphones within the $80 to $150 range thanks to its exclusive driver technology. “To me, the S4 sounds very clear and pumps out a nice amount of bass that is often missing at this price point,” he said.

The Image S4’s 8.5 mm driver is larger than the transducers featured in the company’s other Image Series models—which is why the S4 has an angled versus a straight nozzle. The S4’s custom transducer, or model KG25, employs moving coil technology with a dual magnet design coupled to the motor structure. As a result, the Image S4 is capable of delivering smooth, full-bodied sound that is similar to more expensive balanced armature designs.

The Image S4 is available in two color options, either a piano black finish with silver accents or a pristine white finish with black and silver accents. It includes four different-sized oval ear tips (a small/medium dual flange design as well as small, medium and large single flange designs), an ear tip cleaning tool and a compact, crush-resistant aluminum case.

These headphones carry a two-year warranty and work with the iPod, iPhone and other portable devices that feature a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. The Image S4 in black is available for purchase at klipsch.com and select Klipsch retailers, while the white version is currently only available through vanns.com.